The state of the Red Sox farm system

<b>By Craig Forde/Boston.com Correspondent</b><br>In 2012 the Red Sox were forced to utilize their farmhands more than anyone could have expected coming into the season. Callups gave way to the budding careers of Will Middlebrooks (pictured) and Pedro Ciriaco, while the likes of Ryan Lavarnway and Jose Iglesias saw ample playing time late in the season. The Sox farm system may not have a big-league ready prospect come Opening Day of next year, but there are some solid players in the organization that could impact the team in the very near future. We take a look at who could make the jump.
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<b>SS Xander Bogaerts—</b> Bogaerts (right) is quite possibly the most exciting prospect that the Sox have had in a decade or more. The 20-year-old shortstop was named a Carolina League All-Star, played for the World Team in the Futures All-Star game in Kansas City, and won the Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year. At 6-feet-2-inches, 175 pounds, there is room to grow into his frame, which could produce even more power from a kid who cranked out 20 homers between Salem and Portland. With a plethora of young talent at the shortstop position, Bogaerts may have to break through at another position.
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<b>RHP Matt Barnes—</b> A first-round selection out of UConn in 2011, Barnes was brilliant and nearly unhittable over the first two months of the minor league season. He ran into a bit of a wall late, but that can be attributed to it being his first full season in pro ball. A 6-foot-4-inch right-hander, Barnes can hit anywhere from the mid-to-upper 90s with his fastball. As he develops a more reliable curve to go along with his improving repertoire of off-speed pitches, he could be ready for a big league role within two years.
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<b>OF Jackie Bradley Jr.—</b> Bradley kicked down the door in his first full pro season, jumping from High-A Salem to Double-A Portland. He had organizational highs in runs scored (90), walks (87) and on-base percentage (.428), exactly what one hopes to see from a top of the order guy. A Carolina League All-Star, Barnes was also named the Red Sox Minor League Defensive Player of the Year after posting a .973 fielding percentage. He doesn’t project high with his power or his speed, but his ability to get on base and his defense prowess have him on the fast track.
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Jim Allen

<b>OF Bryce Brentz—</b> When he was called up to Pawtucket at the end of the season, he only picked up two hits over five games. Then the postseason came and Brentz caught fire, hitting .333 with seven extra-base hits in helping the PawSox win the Governors’ Cup. An above average fielder with a solid arm, Brentz has the tools to contribute on a daily basis in the bigs. He needs to work on his plate patience, having struck out 136 times to only 41 walks. A trip to the Arizona Fall League will help him round out some rough edges.
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<b>C Blake Swihart—</b> It’s amazing to think that he only became a full-time catcher his junior year in high school. The 20-year-old first rounder (2011) prides himself on his defense, calling games and most especially throwing out runners. In an interview earlier in the year he described it as, "a me-versus-him thing ... I try to throw out everyone I can.” That’s the kind of bulldog attitude that a team needs behind the dish. He didn’t “wow” anyone with his bat this year, but he did show signs that he could be a solid hitter once he gets his timing down from both sides of the plate.
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<b>LHP Henry Owens—</b> Had the opportunity to work with a familiar batterymate in Team USA U-18 teammate Swihart, aiding his development. He picked up 12 wins and struck out 130 over 101 2/3 innings, but Owens had some trouble early in the season with the long ball. He showed continued improvement as the season went on. Despite being struck in the eye with a batted ball during pre-game batting practice, he did not suffer any major injuries and rebounded nicely. At 20-years-old, Owens could be the best left-hander in the system.
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<b>3B Garin Cecchini --</b> Underrated is the first word that comes to mind when talking about Cecchini. This kid is one of the best all-around athletes that the Red Sox have, but due to a young man named Middlebrooks taking over third base with the big club this season, Cecchini has been back-burner fodder at that position. Trust me when I say that he can and will push for the rights to that position two years from now if he remains healthy. He stole an organizational high 51 bases this season, earning him Red Sox Minor League Base Runner of the Year honors.
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John Corneau

<b>SS Deven Marrero --</b> The first pick of the Cherington Era seems to be a winner on all fronts. Obtaining a talent like Marrero’s at the 24th pick in this past June’s draft will prove to be a steal. Early on with Lowell he had a tendency to stay back on balls at shortstop, but he was oft-times bailed out by his arm. As he progresses and learns the pro game, he will improve on already great tools at the position. His bat can certainly improve and will as he shows decent patience at the plate. Not a ton of power, but can hit to gaps and put the ball over the wall from time-to-time.
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<b>LHP Brian Johnson --</b> The second of three first-rounders for Cherington and company this year, Johnson is another solid left-handed arm for the organization. Unfortunately he didn’t get to show it off much when he reached Lowell, and his first taste of pro ball was cut short when he was hit in the face with a line drive. Expected to fully recover, he can rise through the ranks quickly so long as his will isn’t shaken once he gets back on the hill. Johnson throws four pitches very well and tops out around 94-95 miles-per-hour with his fastball.
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Monmouth University Photography

<b>RHP Pat Light --</b> The final first round selection of the 2012 draft, Light may not have received much notice coming out of Monmouth, but he showed he was a workhorse willing to throw as often as they would let him. In 30 1/3 innings with Lowell he struck out 30 batters and allowed only 5 walks. He throws a heavy fastball in the mid-90s that can look faster coming from his 6-foot-6-inch frame. His delivery is smooth and he sets up his secondary pitches nicely. He can be a factor in some capacity so long as his desire remains at the highest level.
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<b>RHP Allen Webster and RHP Rubby De La Rosa --</b> If the big trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers is going to pay any dividends for Boston, it starts and ends with these two gun slingers. According to Baseball America, Webster was the Dodgers' second best pitching prospect coming into 2012. More of a ground-ball type pitcher in the mold of Derek Lowe, Webster can bring some hard heat and deceiving off-speed stuff. De La Rosa is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, but once fully recovered he brings a ton of power from his small frame, much like Pedro Martinez ... but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
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There are certainly other players in the organization who could make impacts in the coming years. Pitchers Alex Wilson, Anthony Ranaudo (pictured), Drake Britton, Michael Olmsted and Brandon Workman instantly come to mind. Brandon Jacobs and Keury De La Cruz are raw outfielders with potential. And the ever-clogged shortstop position features additional talents in Jose Vinicio and Tzu-Wei Lin. Also keep an eye on first baseman Travis Shaw and second baseman Sean Coyle who both came into their own in 2012 and if they continue down that arc, they will round into big league options.
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